International Jihad Council
MOA announced the formation of its International Jihad Council in its newspaper in 1982. The objective was to engage in jihad to “oppose religious persecution.” Its purpose was not limited to the jihad in Afghanistan against the Soviets.
An internal MOA document said that the International Jihad Council had branches in Toronto, New York, Washington State, California, Philadelphia and New Jersey.
A 1983 issue of MOA’s newspaper recorded the start of the International Jihad Council and said it was recruiting Muslim fighters from outside of Fuqra, as well.
The first International Jihad Conference happened in Toronto on January 12, 1982. It openly called on Muslims to wage jihad against Russia. MOA says it informed the U.S. government of its intentions so that it would not interfere with its sending of fighters and potential material support (specifically suggesting munitions as an option) from the Pakistani government.
The second conference happened a week later in Jersey City, N.J. The third was held in Washington, D.C. It boasted that the majority of the attendees at its New York City event were supporters of Sheikh Gilani and that its women “were also skilled in weapons.”
A letter to President Bush on March 18, 1990 written by Atiq Shahid of York, S.C. on behalf of MOA informed the President that MOA had declared that jihad against India is obligatory for all able-bodied Muslims and that MOA would be sending support to an organization named the Kashmir Freedom Front.
The letter said that MOA had formed Jihad Conferences in the U.S., Canada and the West Indies (likely referring to Trinidad) to disseminate information about the conflict and deliver unspecified material aid to Kashmir for the fight against India. It requested that visas to Pakistan be granted to its members for a “successful struggle.”
An International Jihad Council document has an image of a gun and knife on it. It states, “the stride of the army, destroy them and give us victory on them.”
The International Jihad Council also had a pledge signed by recruits. It explicitly defines jihad as “holy war” and says it is compulsory of all Muslims to assist it. It does not limit the jihad to a specific battlefield.
“I wish to participate as combatant/noncombatant mujahideen. I shall abide by Gilani’s commands. If I desert, I will be subject to legal proceedings under Islamic law,” it reads.
